A Simple Checklist of What to Provide your Escrow Officer During the Course of Your Escrow, and What to Bring to Your Loan Document Signing

It might sound odd, but we’ve literally had clients forget some of the most basic items we need during their escrow, and at the time of their loan document signing, like a Driver’s License!  Sometimes we’re so accustomed to exactly what we do, and how the escrow process functions, we may forget to explain the simple basics.

Here is a brief list of what you should always provide to your Escrow Officer during your escrow, and what to bring with you to the loan document signing:

Sellers:

·         Names of each spouse, and all people who have an ownership interest in the property.  If you are not sure if a person actually has ownership interest, please contact your Escrow Officer immediately to discuss.

·         All contact information for all owners of the property, including addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers, etc..  The social security numbers are needed by the Title Insurance Company, as well as by Escrow to obtain and verify payoff information for any existing liens and/or mortgages which will need to be paid at the close of escrow.

·         Recent tax payment information.  This is to avoid duplicate payments, as well as to prorate the current bill at the close of escrow.

·         Loan payoff information, including name(s) of mortgage lender(s), phone number(s), account number(s) and estimated balance(s) due.  The actual balances will be verified by ordering written payoff demand statement(s), and payment in full will be made at the close of escrow.  If you have an automatic debit payment, you will need to arrange directly with the lender for the termination of same.  However, you must continue making regularly scheduled payments until the loan has been paid in full.

·         Property identification, such as valid Driver’s License or Passport.

Buyers:

·         Names as you wish they appear on title, and vesting.  You will be provided a list of vesting options and explanations upon the opening of escrow.

·         New Lender contact information, including name, phone number, email address, etc..

·         Insurance Agent’s contact information, including name, phone number, fax number, email address, etc..

·         Proper identification such as valid Driver’s License or Passport.  Valid identification should not be expired, and should match the names you have provided as your wish them to appear on title, or the Notary Public will be unable to notarize your signature(s), which may cause unnecessary delays, and may cause you to incur additional costs from your new lender.

·         Closing Funds must be made payable to Design Escrow, Inc., and be in the form of a Cashier’s Check issued by a California bank (for any amount less than $250,000.00), or be sent via wire transfer. (You may choose to deposit funds via wire transfer for any amount due.  However, it is required to deposit any funds due in excess of $250,000.00.)  Closing funds must be received at least two (2) business days prior to the close of escrow.    

Remember, there is no question we wouldn’t be happy to answer, or direct you to a party to answer it, so please feel free to contact your Escrow Officer if you have any questions or concerns. 

Communication is the key to a smooth escrow and successful closing!  Please let us know anything you think might be pertinent to your transaction, and we’ll handle all the details to keep you and/or your Real Estate agent informed along the way.